Field courses, lasting from 4 to 11 days, take place in France and abroad. They provide an opportunity to discover a variety of geological environments, develop data acquisition and observation techniques, deepen exchanges between students and researchers, and experience daily teamwork that foreshadows a professional context.

The Department of Earth Sciences offers 17 different field courses, representing 99 days of fieldwork per year for its specific courses in the Bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences and the Master’s degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences, Environment (STePE). It also manages six other introductory or advanced geology courses in the third year of the Bachelor’s degree in Life and Earth Sciences (one course), the Master’s degree in MEEF (one course), and the preparation for the Agrégation in Life and Earth Sciences (four courses). The Earth Sciences Department thus offers Paris-Saclay University students 23 field courses per year, for a total of 130 field days annually. This commitment is a strength for Earth Sciences teaching at Paris-Saclay University, making it nationally recognized for its uniqueness. The field courses offered are gradual throughout the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. They allow students to progressively tackle increasingly complex content, from rock identification and cartography to the understanding of more complex phenomena (geophysics, sequential stratigraphy, environmental impact, etc.) associated with current research (resources, risks, and the environment). To provide this field training, Paris-Saclay University provides students with significant resources in the form of professional measuring equipment in geophysics, hydrology, hydrogeology, topography, cartography, soil science, and sedimentology. It also ensures the Department’s autonomy for travel in France, England, and Germany (6 minibuses) and for student accommodation and meals during trips.

• A field notebook (minimum size 8×6 inches)

• A hammer

• A mineralogical magnifying glass (8x-10x)

• Colored pencils

• A felt-tip marker

• Walking shoes

• A sturdy backpack

Note: AGUPS can provide you with equipment at a reduced cost.